Reclining chairs



c. s. VIALL RECLINING CHAIRS Sept. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 a 1. L all INVENTOR. BY 6% 4 Sept. 8, 1959 vc. s. VIALL RECLINING cmms 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 \m m H 3 e r MN fi l imdln United States Patent REC-LINING CHAIRS Charles S. Viall, Reseda, Calif.

Application February 13, 1956, Serial No. 565,011

8 Claims. (Cl. 155-:106)

This invention relates to a chair and more particularly to a chair which may readily be converted to a reclining chair, with a plurality of connected sections which are movable to dilferent positions and/or to different angles, including a cushion section that is extendable to a leg rest position, and also including seat and back sections which may be raised when the cushion section is extended to its leg rest position.

An important object of the invention is to provide an inelinable seat with a connected back, and a cushionleg rest section which is larger than leg rests ordinarily used with reclining chairs and which also serves as a seat cushion when not in use as leg rest.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reclining chair that can be made with a back much lower, in relation to the floor, than ordinary reclining chairs and yet give more reclinable length.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for raising and lowering the seat and back sections so that proper sitting height is maintained Whether or not the chair is being used with the cushion-leg rest extended.

A further object of the invention is to provide a leg rest "which assumes a substantially horizontal position regardless of the position of the seat and back, thereby providing substantial leg support at all times.

A further object of the invention is to mount the sections in a frame so that inclination of the seat relatively alters the position of the sections with respect to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of connected seat, back, and leg rest sections which are adapted to independent assembly and are mounted in frames of various designs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a chair in accordance with the invention showing diagrammatically the position occupied by the seat and back sections and the leg rest section, with the leg rest section in use as seat cushion rather than being in reclining position, together with my presently preferred operating mechanism.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of chair in Figure 1 showing diagrammatically the positions assumed by the seat and back sections with the cushion-leg rest in its extended position and the seat and back sections in raised positions, and also showing the operating mechanism with the members in these positions.

. 2,903,045 atented p 8, 1959 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism positioned for reclining as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a side elevation View of the chair in accordance with the invention, showing diagrammatically the position occupied by the seat and back sections and the leg rest section when positioned for reclining.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism and frame taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

The mechanism used in the invention is made in pairs, one the portion on left side of the chair and the other on the right side of chair. In the following description the mechanism and parts thereof are described singularly, but it is to be understood that the actual use thereof is in pairs.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that an adjustable chair with a cushion-leg rest is disclosed and comprises a base frame 10 including a pair of spaced arms 11 and side rails 16 afiixed thereto and arranged to adjustably position a seat, back, and cushion-leg rest therebetween, the upright portion of which is a back 12 and the horizontal portion of which is a seat 13 and cushion-leg rest 14.

The seat and back unit includes a pair of spaced rails 15 positioned beneath the sides of the seat portion 13. The rails 15 serve to position the upper portion of the operating mechanism, the lower portion of the operating mechanism being positioned between the rails 16 of the base frame 10.

It will thus be observed by referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that when the seat and back portion is in the position shown, the cushion-leg rest 14 is being used as a seat, cushion 14 resting horizontally above and adjacent to seat 13 in a floating position allowing freedom ofvertical movement. It will also be observed that the seat and back are positioned at their lowest point and the operating mechanism is in its closed position.

By referring to Figure 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the seat 13 and the back 12 are in raised positions and cushion-leg rest 14 is extended in front of seat 13 and is substantially on the same horizontal plane as seat 13. It will also be seen that the operating mechanism supports the seat 13 and the leg rest 14 in a substantially adjustable position.

By referring to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be seen the. operating mechanism is in the position required for the reclining position of the chair. 7

By referring to Figure 4 of the drawings it will be seen that the chair is in the reclining position and that mechanism is provided for tilting of seat and back on pivot 30, pivot 30 being transversely connected to bracket 24. An adjustablespring control is provided at pivot 44 withadditional spring control 37 when seat and back is tilted, it will also be seen that support and position control of leg rest 14 is provided by a series of links and levers 18, 21-, 39, 50, together with their pivots 17, 19:, 44, 26, 41, 45, and 43, and stops 2@, 46 and 49, and slot 40 in link 3% and bracket 59 afiixed to rail 15.

It can be seen. by referring to the drawings that mechanism is provided to lift the seat and back portions and extend the cushion-leg rest, and that control is provided by springs andlever means for ease of operation and proper positioning of various sections.

The operating mechanism is secured by bolts 22 'to seat 13 in bracket 24, to leg rest 14 in bracket 18 and to side rails 16 in bracket 25. Seat 13 is connected to rails 16 for vertical movement through bracket 24 and levers 27, 28, 29 and 42 pivotally connected to brackets 24 and '25 by pivots 3t and 44 and transversely connected to each other by pivots 35. Levers 27, 28, 29 and 42 are positioned in relation to each other by links 32 and 33 and pivots 34. Vertical movement of seat 13 is adjustably controlled by spring 37 connected to bracket 36 and bracket 24 by rivet 57 and to link 33 by means of bolt hook 58. Tension of spring 37 is adjustable by bolt hook 58 together with wing nut 38. The vertical position of levers 27, 28, 29, and 42 is maintained by stops 31 in bracket 25 and spring tension of spring 37.

Tilting action of seat 13 and back 12 is pivotally controlled by bracket 24 and lever 27 transversely connected to each other by pivot 30. Tilting action is further controlled by bracket 24 being transversely connected to link 21 and transversely and slideably connected to lever 42 by bolt 44 in slot 43. Bolt 44 also positions washers 54, tension spring 55 and wing nut 56, providing adjustab'le control of the tilting action. Spring 37 also provides additional spring tension control of seat 13 and back 12.

Seat 13 and leg rest 14 are connected to each other and a substantially horizontal position of leg rest 14 is maintained, regardless of the position of seat 13, by means of a series connection of link 21 pivotally positioned by bolt 44 in bracket 24 and pivotally connected to bracket 18 by pivot 19, and further positioned by stop 20 and bracket 59. Bracket 18 is connected to leg rest 14 by bolts 22 and is further pivotally connected to link 50 and leg 51 by pivot 17. Leg 51 is positioned by means of stop 52. Link 50 is pivotally connected to link 47 by means of pivot 48 and positioned by stop 49. Link 47 is further pivotally connected to link 39 by pivot 45 and positioned by stop 46. Link 39 is slidably connected to lever 42 by pivot 41 and slot 40. Position control of leg rest 14 is by leverage of bracket 24 through pivot 26 and link 39. Operation of the operating mechanism is controlled by extending leg rest 14 forward of seat 13 or replacing leg rest 14 to position horizontally above and adjacent to seat 13.

Figure 1 shows chair in closed position. By raising and extending leg rest 14 to the position shown in Figure 2, link 21 with stop 23 releases mechanism to allow spring 37 to lift seat 13 to the height formerly occupied by cushion-leg rest 14. In closing the chair, leg rest 14 is lifted up and backward, causing link 21 together with stop 23 to engage notch 53 in lever 42 which in turn operates links 33, 32 and levers 29, 28, and 27 to lower seat 13 and back 12, thereby achieving the proper sitting height for cushion-leg rest 14.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided in accordance with this invention simple and eflicient apparatus for shifting a seat cushion to a leg rest and for raising and lowering the seat and back sections, with spring controls being provided for ease of operation and spring tension control of tilt. Also, position control of the sections in relation to each other is provided.

It can also be seen that a reclining chair may be made in correct style proportions and balance and yet have greater reclinable length, features not possible in ordinary reclining chairs.

While there have been shown and described particular embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

It will also be apparent by those skilled in the art that an adjustable back may be used Without altering 4 the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In a chair, a chair frame, a seat, a plurality of seat mounting levers pivotally connected to said seat and said frame, said levers being pivotal between a collapsed position in which said seat is lowered in said frame and an extended position in which said seat is raised in said frame, a leg rest operatively connected to said seat by means of a plurality of pivoted link members, said leg rest being swingable between a position in which it rests on top of said seat and a position in which it is. disposed forward of said seat, means operatively connected to said levers for holding said levers in their said extended position to hold said seat in its said raised position when said leg rest is in its said position forward of said seat, and operative engaging means between said link members and said levers to collapse said levers and thereby lower said seat when said foot rest is swung from its said forward position to its said position on said seat, said seat being pivotally connected to a rear lever member and to a front lever member spaced substantially forward of said rear lever member, the connection of said seat to said front lever member being both pivotal and sliding, whereby said seat may be tilted about said rear lever member when said seat is in its said raised position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a spring operatively engaged between said front lever member and said seat at a point on said seat to the rear of the said pivotal and sliding engagement of said seat to said front lever member, whereby said spring will normally hold said levers in their extend position and will also resist tilting of said seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes link means operatively engaged between said seat and said leg rest to substantially horizontally raise and lower said leg rest along with the leading edge of said seat when said seat is tilted.

4. The apparatus of claim. 1 which includes a pivotal engagement between the front portion of said seat and the rear portion of said leg rest to raise and lower the leg rest as the seat is tilted, and link means pivotally connected to said seat to the rear of the pivotal connection of said seat to the said rear'lever member and to the front portion of said leg rest to hold said leg rest substantially horizontal as said seat is tilted.

5. In a chair, a chair frame, a seat, a plurality of seat mounting levers pivotally connected to said seat and said frame, said levers being pivotal between a collapsed position in which said seat is lowered in said frame and an extended position in which said seat is raised in said frame, a leg rest operatively connected to said seat by means of a plurality of pivoted link members, said leg' rest being swingable between a position in which it rests on top of said seat and a position in which it is disposed forward of said seat, means operatively connected to said levers for holding said levers in their said extended position to hold said seat in its said raised position when sardleg rest is in its said position forward of said seat, and operative engaging means between said link members and said levers to collapse said levers and thereby lower said seat when said foot rest is swung from its said forward position to its said position on said seat, said levers comprising front and rear frame lever members pivoted at their lower ends to said chair frame, corresponding front and rear seat lever members pivoted at their upper ends to said chair, the free ends of said frame lever members being pivotally connected to the free ends of said seat lever members, and the connection of said front seat lever members to the seat being both pivotal and sliding, whereby said seat may be tilted about said rear seat lever member when said seat is in its said raised position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 which includes a spring peratively engaged between said front lever members and said seat at a point on said seat to the rear of said pivotal and sliding engagement of said seat to said front seat lever members whereby said spring will normally hold said levers in their said extended position and will also resist tilting of said seat.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 which includes link means operatively engaged between said seat and said leg rest to substantially horizontally raise and lower said leg rest along with the leading edge of said seat when said seat is tilted.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 which includes a pivotal engagement between the front portion of said seat and the rear portion of said leg rest to raise and lower the leg rest as the seat is tilted, and link means pivotally connected to said seat to the rear of said pivotal connection of said seat to the said rear seat lever member and to the front portion of said leg rest to hold said leg rest substantially horizontal as the seat is tilted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,504,763 Hultgren Aug. 12, 1924 1,590,090 Herz June 22, 1926 1,732,522 Martin Oct. 22, 1929 1,812,618 Blase et a1 June 30, 1931 2,750,988 Luckhardt June 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 289,394 Italy Oct. 15, 1931 

